the imaginary band

With Blood Upon The Sand by Bradley P. Beaulieu Okay. Okay. So maybe this book series is just not for me. I tried reading book two and I still cannot bring myself to like the main character. And considering I did not relish the almost constant flashbacks in book one, I groaned out loud when the first flashback in book two happened. It's a shame because the world is so interesting but the characters leave me cold. I hope the next book will at least have a good ending.

Shadows Ops (Series) by Myke Cole

The first book, Control Point, was a bit of a chore to get through, with the protagonist continually changing his mind and his loyalties. But I thought it only made sense that Oscar Britton was so conflicted. The dude went through a lot that tested his faith in things. Ultimately, though, he made the best choice of shaking up a problematic system.

The second book, Fortress Frontier, was when things really went crazy. Alan Bookbinder is honestly one of the most likable characters I’ve ever read about. It was great seeing him build in confidence as well as magical proficiency and I was cheering him on every step of the way. The action also increased in intensity and the climax of the book was simply badass.

I’ve only just started reading the third book, Breach Zone, so here’s hoping the momentum of the series keeps up.

Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley P. Beaulieu

This book had some amazing world-building going on. I can’t remember the last time I read about a fictional city that seemed so alive it felt almost real, like I could buy a ticket and go there for a holiday. However, I think the story sometimes took a backseat to the world-building because it was slow-going in many parts and the author’s decision to chop up the present-day narrative and insert flashbacks here and there often slowed the momentum of the plot. There were also some plot points that I thought were fairly predictable. Still, it’s an interesting read about a fascinating new fantasy world and I can’t wait to know how it all turns out in the end when the author finishes the series.

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente. Some books are gorgeous because of the words the author uses. Other books are gorgeous because of the images they spin in your head. This novel falls under the latter category, and that is not a criticism. I enjoyed every moody, magic-soaked page of the story. I think that, at its heart, it is a love story about two people who have absolutely no business being in love with each other. Yet they are both too stubborn to give up on their ideal of love. But life is like that.

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu. The word “epic” gets thrown around a lot when people describe fantasy stories, but I think this book especially deserves it. It kind of reads like a history book with interesting or funny little anecdotes here and there about what is otherwise a very bloody series of wars. But, man, what a history! If you’re a fan of military action and revolution, then give this one a try.

The Jennifer Morgue (The Laundry Files #2) by Charles Stross

Interesting series that I’ve started to read. It’s, well, it’s weird. It’s about a British agency that deals with Lovecraftian horrors and, again, it’s weird. In a totally good way, of course.

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss It took some time, but I finally finished the first two books in this series. Now I'm kind of just a bit obsessed and possibly going through withdrawal since the third book isn't out yet. I've always been more of an urban fantasy fan, but perhaps it's time to check out the older realms for some classical fantasy storytelling.

The Books of Abarat by Clive Barker

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

It's a lovely book but it focuses too much on whimsical, fantastical descriptions instead of its plot. But, then again, maybe that was the whole point.

The Kindly Ones (Sandman) - Neil Gaiman

Enter, Night by Michael Rowe

This reminded me a lot of Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot. The first half kept me interested with its nicely-drawn characters and slowly building suspense. The ending, though, wasn't very spectacular and it was even a bit disappointing. Still, if you want a story about scary vampires, this one's a good choice.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

What is it about Russian novels that make them such a chore to read? But then again, gun-toting cats for the win!

The Map of the Sky by Felix J. Palma

Another enjoyable read.

The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma

This is a lovely book with a twisty plot and beautiful writing.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

This is the sequel to the darkly beautiful "Daughter of Smoke and Bone", and it's every bit as lyrical as the first book. In my head, it would play out perfectly as an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki.

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

So I finished reading this book. Two word review: Holy. Sheeetttttt!

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Goodbye," he said to the flower.

But she made no answer.

"Goodbye," he said again.

The flower coughed. But it was not because she had a cold.

"I have been silly," she said to him, at last. "I ask your forgiveness. Try to be happy..."

He was surprised by this absence of reproaches. He stood there all bewildered, the glass globe held arrested in mid-air. He did not understand this quiet sweetness.

"Of course I love you," the flower said to him. "It is my fault that you have not known it all the while. That is of no importance. But you-- you have been just as foolish as I. Try to be happy... let the glass globe be. I don't want it any more."

"But the wind--"

"My cold is not so bad as all that... the cool night air will do me good. I am a flower."

"But the animals--"

"Well, I must endure the presence of two or three caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies. It seems that they are very beautiful. And if not the butterflies-- and the caterpillars-- who will call upon me? You will be far away... as for the large animals-- I am not at all afraid of any of them. I have my claws."

And, naively, she showed her four thorns. Then she added:

"Don't linger like this. You have decided to go away. Now go!"

For she did not want him to see her crying. She was such a proud flower...